~MINNEAPOLIS – Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was in no mood to gloat on Sunday, even if he had every right to do so.

Rodgers soundly outplayed Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre in the Packers’ 31-3 romp at the Metrodome. His performance proved once again why General Manager Ted Thompson made the correct decision two years ago when he traded Favre and made Rodgers the Packers’ starting quarterback.

In 4 games against the Favre-led Vikings, Rodgers has thrown 11 touchdown passes and just 3 interceptions and averaged 317 passing yards.

But Rodgers resisted any temptation to say “I told you so.” He said there was no extra satisfaction in leading the Packers to a season sweep of Favre and the Vikings, who were all but eliminated from playoff contention with the embarrassing loss.

Since Rodgers became the Packers’ starter in the summer of 2008, he has been booed, sworn at, second-guessed and doubted by at least a small segment of the fan base.

If his dismantling of the Vikings doesn’t silence or satisfy the skeptics, nothing ever will. Rodgers completed 22 of 31 passes for 301 yards, four touchdowns and a 141.3 passer rating in the hostile, noisy Metrodome. It was a memorable, near-flawless effort.

The 41-year-old Favre, meanwhile, looked every bit his age. He completed less than 50 percent of his passes, threw a game-turning interception and posted a 51.2 passer rating.

But this wasn’t about Rodgers vs. Favre, at least not according to the Packers quarterback.

“I think if anything, if the last couple years have told me anything, it’s that this game is bigger than myself,” said Rodgers. “It was around long before I started playing, it’s going to be around long after I’m done playing. And I just try to keep that perspective and realize that I’m blessed to be able to play this game.”

With the help of a stellar defense, Rodgers has guided the Packers to a 7-3 record this season and into a first-place tie with the Chicago Bears in the NFC North. In 42 regular-season games as a starter his record is 24-18. Favre’s record after his first 42 starts with the Packers was 23-19.

Faced with the difficult task of replacing Favre, a quarterback legend in Green Bay and future Hall of Famer, Rodgers has handled the assignment with class, humility and a take-charge attitude on the field.

“All that other stuff, it takes care of itself,” said Rodgers. “One way or another, I’m proud of the way our team has handled it, I’ve handled it, and we’re on the other side of it (now).”

Last year the Vikings swept the Packers behind a pair of brilliant games by Favre. But Rodgers had no reason to hang his head with passer ratings of 110.6 and 108.5 in those losses. In four games against the Favre-led Vikings, Rodgers has thrown 11 touchdown passes and just three interceptions and averaged 317 passing yards.

Center Scott Wells is impressed with more than Rodgers’ arm. He likes his scrambling ability.

“Any time you have a quarterback that can extend the play and get outside the pocket and make things happen, that’s huge,” said Wells. “Aaron does an excellent job, makes some great reads and some great throws on the run, on the move, so it’s great he’s able to do that. It’s awesome for our offense to have somebody that can do that.”

But Rodgers refuses to get caught up in statistics or comparisons. What’s paramount in his mind is how well the Packers are playing heading into the stretch run.

“We’re a 7-3 team going in the right direction,” he said.

Rodgers won’t make fans forget about Favre’s exemplary career in Green Bay, nor should he have to. But the Packers are secure in knowing they’re in good hands with Favre’s replacement.